Obviously I am biased but I'd disagree. Iwobi has been a solid signing for us, nothing overly special but good. Kean has been eh but you can see the potential there and I do understand why we went for him - there's some resale value if we want to sell him too. Gbamin is far too early to say anthing about because he's not played and that's extremely unfortunate. Delph and Sidibe have been poor, granted. The capture of Gomes on a perm was a cracking signing and he's been fantastic since coming back from injury. You've got to remember that 1) Kean was bought for potential and not necessarily instant impact. 2) Two of our big signigns Gomes and Gbamin have had horrible injuries. A bit of unluckiness has played its part. Also got to remember this is the man that orchestrated the Digne and Richarlison deals who are two of our best players - Digne was a little poor this season but still very good but most FB standards. Bernard and Mina have also proven to be solid.
I still stand by my point. Brands has made a fantastic influence to our side in a tricky situation aka attempting to improve the squad while getting rid of a lot of deadwood which is hard when nobody wants them - but in the large majority of them he's made profit.
Most of the thread I was assessing how a DOF doesn't just influence transfers in terms of signing them but also the First Team to the Youth Levels, making sure that everything is running smoothly. The transition of players from Youth to the Senior side such as Gordon etc. Making sure players like Gibson get the right loan (heard he was doing very well at Fleetwood prior to this).
One mistake doesn't reflect a whole career and I don't even think Kean is a mistake. Like I said, it's a case of a teenager with too much money being told he has to stay inside by himself in a country he isn't from. Every right to discipline him and I'm glad we did but I can understand Kean and his thought process too despite it being wrong. Brands will be speaking to Kean and figuring this all out no doubt.
Worth noting too that players can change. You can scout someone for 2 years and making judgements on their character but things like a sudden shift in culture can change a players attitude without you being able to tell that. He's been disciplined fairly whenever he's done something wrong (late for meetings and now this situation) and I hope he can turn it around. He has the talent but he may just not have the attitude. Some players you excuse that for aka the reason someone like Morrison seems to always get picked up by clubs but they also need to help themselves otherwise Kean is going to have a journeyman career like Morrison.
On my phone now so not going to type loads in reply.
Agree that Kean can't be seen as a mistake yet and did say myself that he may still come good and/or settle down.
I wouldn't write any of the signings off really, even someone older like Delph. I still think it's possible to get a tune out of him.
I'm biased too, no particular dislike for Everton but they're not my team. As they're not my team I will be prone to jumping on things when they're not going great so I can laugh at them. Suppose that's what we do as football fans sometimes.
Iwobi has looked threatening for you at times when I've seen him and I'm usually loathe to judge on stats, but he just hasn't produced in that sense so far at all
I'm still comfortable saying Kean hasn't been successful so far. Perhaps he will be one day as he matures on and off the pitch.
Gbamin - as he hasn't played he's not a success. Of course one has to have sympathy for his injury so I wouldn't say failure either. He's N/A.
Gomes I thought was having a poor season pre-injury but then I won't have watched him as much as you. Thought he was ok against United which was his first start back and then you lost 4-0 against Chelsea in the next one which I didn't see. The good run of results you had in the league was all without him, although the fixture list was kind and there was possible new manager bounce in play.
Would agree on the other players, no idea on your youth.
Ended up writing a lot more than I thought I would!